General CT Preparation

CT exams fall into five general categories.

The preparation instructions for each is listed below.

CT with Contrast

• Do not eat or drink 4 hours prior to your exam, with the exception of plain water or clear liquids.
  
  
• Taking medication is allowed.
  
  

CT without Contrast

• You do not need to do anything to prepare for your exam.

CT Colonography

• The most important part of any CT colonography happens before you come to the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center. To get a good look at the lining of the colon, it is necessary to clean out any traces of food or other material.
  
  
• This means you must maintain a restricted diet the day before your exam and take colon-cleaning medications.
  
  
• A prep-kit with detailed instructions and the medication you need to take before your exam is available from us.
  
  
• You can either pick up this prep-kit in person, or request that it be mailed to you. To request a prep-kit, or for more information, call (310) 423-3266.
  
  
• It is important that you carefully follow the instructions given with the prep-kit.
  
  
• If you have diabetes: please contact us before you begin the prep-kit: (310) 423-3266.
  
  

PET/CT

CT contrast is sometimes given for this exam.

PET scans require careful preparation, so please follow instructions carefully.

(Diabetics should discuss the preparations with their doctor.)

• 24 hours prior to your appointment
  
  
  • Refrain from consuming any caffeine, including any decaffeinated products for 24 hours prior to your exam. Note: Decaffeinated products still contain small amounts of caffeine.
    
    
• 12 hours prior to your appointment
  
  
  • Stay on a low-carbohydrate diet. (See below for a guide on what to eat.)
  • Do NOT engage in any strenuous exercise.
  • Do NOT chew gum.
  • Avoid mints.
• 6 hours prior to your appointment:
  
  
  • Do NOT eat anything.
  • Drink several glasses of water (2-6).
  • Take any prescribed medications as usual.
  • If you need to eat, please stick to a small protein-only meal.
  • If you are diabetic, please consult your doctor for questions regarding diet and medication.
    
    
• Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guide:
  
  Foods allowed:
  
  

  All meats		Tofu
  Hard cheeses		Eggs
  Unsweetened peanut butter		Oil, margarine, butter
  Diet soda (be careful to avoid caffeine or decaffeinated sodas.)		Non-starchy vegetables (such as: broccoli, spinach, green beans.)

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  Foods not allowed:

  Cereals		Breads
  Pasta		Rice
  Dry beans		Gravies
  Fruit and fruit juices		Jams and jellies
  Sugar and candy		Honey
  Starchy vegetables (such as: peas, corn, potatoes)		Milk (including non-dairy milk)
  Alcohol		Coffee or Tea